CHAPTER 56: 56-COMPETING TO IMPRESS ME

Iris:

I was running around the room, trying to get ready for the office, and all the while, I couldn’t help but notice Luca sitting on the edge of the bed, playing games on his phone.

I pulled on my grey pants and white shirt, added a matching coat, and left my hair straight for the day.

The moment I slung my purse over my shoulder and grabbed my files to leave, I noticed Luca standing up and following me.

I should have known something was wrong when he showed up wearing a grey suit.

"What?" I stopped in the hallway, staring at him.

"What do you mean, what? I’m heading to the office with you," he replied, making me frown and point at him.

I dropped my hand and quickly walked away toward my mother, who was sitting in the living room.

My kids had already woken up, and Scarlett was looking after them. I had fed them myself earlier.

"What is he saying?" I asked, facing my mother, who was reading a magazine.

She looked up at me, then glanced behind me at Luca, who was strolling casually.

"You need an assistant, so he’ll be working as yours. Now don’t waste my time, keep moving," my mother told me, focusing on her magazine again.

I stared at her in disbelief, but I knew there was no point arguing.

I was already late, so I stormed out, with Luca following close behind.

When I reached the parking lot, I saw Kash standing beside his car, dressed in a black suit and white shirt.

"You’re coming with me today." His voice was firm enough to make the air feel still for a moment.

"What?" I asked Kash, standing beside my car.

"I said I’m driving you to the location today. We have a shoot with the models, and we’re already late," Kash explained, checking his wristwatch.

Then he opened the passenger door for me.

"Actually, I’m driving her to the location today," Luca interrupted.

The moment he spoke, I noticed Kash’s jaw clench.

He had a sharp, strong jaw, and when he tightened it, it was impossible not to notice.

He wore black sunglasses that matched his dark hair and thick eyebrows. He looked dangerously handsome.

With his hands in his pockets and his body slightly turned toward us, he stood still, saying nothing.

It felt strange standing next to him and not complimenting him on his looks.

Sometimes, I even forgot what he had done to me.

"You don’t know the location. You’re new here," Kash retorted, still not looking at Luca.

He was turned just enough to keep his eyes on me.

"There’s a thing called GPS. Come on, Alpha King Kash. I thought you’d know that much," Luca remarked, resting his hands on the roof of the car and chuckling like an idiot.

Luca was a handsome man too, but his attitude was so unbearable that I couldn’t bring myself to compliment him.

There was no reason to.

"Iris, get in the car with me." Kash’s voice carried authority as he called out to me, demanding I get in with him.

"Well, my girlfriend will come with me. Don’t worry, I’ve already got the location from one of the company’s employees," Luca stated.

"Iris, come on, we’re getting late," Luca called, and Kash finally turned around.

He rested his arm on the roof of his car, and even from behind his sunglasses, I could tell he was staring at me.

He pushed his coat slightly back and placed his hand on his belt.

"Iris, get in the car," Kash repeated.

I looked between them, then turned toward the guest house.

I noticed my mother standing there, watching and enjoying the scene.

For a moment, I thought about going alone, without either of them.

But then I remembered that day when I was pushed into the pantry, the rejection I’d felt still haunted me.

So, keeping my eyes on Kash, I got into Luca’s car and slammed the door shut.

Kash’s fists tightened, and the sight gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

Luca smirked as he got in beside me, looking pleased with himself.

He fixed his belt, gripped the steering wheel, and smiled.

"Look at him, what a loser," he muttered.

While I could have defended Kash, I didn’t. I turned my face to the side, staring out the window.

Luca reversed, then drove past Kash’s car.

Kash didn’t move until our car reached the main road.

In the side mirror, I saw him finally get in his car.

Once we were on the road, I noticed him following us.

Of course, we were headed to the same location, Luca had the GPS on his phone, but Kash’s driving was strange.

He was tailing us too closely.

"What is he doing?" Luca asked, trying to slow down and give him space to pass.

But the moment our car shifted to the side, Kash followed right after.

Then we heard a light collision between the cars.

"What is wrong with this man?" Luca complained, glaring into the rearview mirror.

"Fine. If you want to play this game, buckle up," he muttered. He didn’t speak to me again until he said, "Buckle up, Iris."

I was already strapped in, but that did not mean I was ready for this kind of madness.

These men had such big egos that were sadly so fragile.

"I don’t want any kind of game being played. If you’re going to do something reckless, drop me off on the side of the road. Then you two can race all you want," I shouted in frustration as Luca sped up.

"Shhh! You talk a lot. Has he ever told you that before?" Luca remarked, looking annoyed.

His eyes stayed on the mirror, and it felt like a race had started.

Each time Kash tried to drive past him, Luca would speed ahead again.

I could tell Kash had realized what was happening.

He was smart enough to know they were racing to see who would reach the destination first.